Obama's day: Medal of Honor

Mar. 18, 2014
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U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Christopher Schneider, from U.S. Army Old Guard, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment, makes sure the medals are in their place on the military uniform of U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Melvin Morris, a Vietnam War veteran, for his visit to the white House. / Joe Raedle, Getty Images

by David Jackson, USA TODAY

by David Jackson, USA TODAY

Obama will belatedly award the Medal of Honor to 24 Army veterans who served during World War II, and the Korean and Vietnam wars.

The honorees -- only three of whom are still alive -- were selected after Congress ordered a review to determine whether Jewish or Hispanic troops were denied the Medal of Honor in years past because of prejudice.

"These veterans will receive the Medal of Honor in recognition of their valor during major combat operations," says the White House schedule.

The two dozen honorees were previously awarded the the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation's second-highest military award.

On Tuesday night, Obama will attend a Democratic fundraiser in Washington, D.C.